Abstract
Whereas arylmetaphosphates (ArOPO2) tend to cyclise by intramolecular C-H insertion (phosphorylation) when generated in the gas phase, their alkyl-substituted counterparts exhibit non-electrophilic behaviour and give rise to alkenes by an unusual 1,2-methyl shift induced by a combination of hydrogen abstraction with concomitant elimination of metaphosphoric acid (HOPO2).